Abstract
Integrity Plus 2013, the assessment of the New Zealand National Integrity System (NIS), sponsored by the New Zealand Chapter of TI (TINZ), examined the role of transparency, integrity and accountability in strengthening governance across all of our institutions, including civil society and business as well as the public sector (see http://www.transparency.org.nz/nis). The core message of the 2013 NZ NIS report is that while most institutions are currently scored as strong, with some having very strong integrity systems, there are growing signs of weakness at the core. Combined with national complacency, this has serious implications for our democracy and our public sector. Already, less than three months after the launch of the NIS report, there has been considerable slippage for the first two recommendations:
(1) the timing of the development of a comprehensive national anti-corruption strategy underpinning the ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC); and (2) the framing of the Action Plan for the International Open Government Partnership.
This is disappointing as it undermines New Zealand's potential to be a leader during this year when it has been invited by Australia to be part of the G20 and when it is seeking a United Nations Security Council seat. Suzanne Snively and Murray Petrie, the co-Directors of the 2013 NIS, along with Liz Brown, the Research Team Leader, will explain why it is important to ensure that all 7 NIS recommendations are central to the government's policy agenda.
About the speakers
Suzanne Snively, Executive Chair, Transparency International New Zealand Inc. and co-Director of the 2013 NZ NIS.
Murray Petrie, Director, Economic Strategy Group Limited, former TINZ Director and co-Director of the 2013 NIS.
Liz Brown, NIS Research Team Manager, Liz was Banking Ombudsman from 1995 to 2009 and before that worked for the Office of the Ombudsman.
Note: Papers, presentation slides and any other material provided by the Guest Lecturer will be made available some time after the lecture at Publications > Media & Speeches > Guest Lectures by Visiting Academics.